Shows / Making Cents
Making Cents
The podcast for people who want financial freedom, without giving up their coffee. That means it's time to make the money world make cents. Join Frances Cook, best-selling author and award-winning journalist, to talk about the proven ways to invest your way to financial independence, buy your first home, or just get your spending under control. Every Monday we have the week's feature interview, with someone who's done something interesting with their money. From paying off a mountain of debt…
Episodes
Making CentsHow to hack your brain to make saving fun
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee, supported by our lovely friends at Kiwibank. I’m…
Making CentsThe small business finance guide for people who hate numbers
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsYour 2025 financial survival plan: LIVE replay
With tariffs flying, interest rates falling, and the job market looking a little rough... how do you survive? Here's a survival plan, and an Ask Me Anything…
Making CentsEscaping the broken 9-5: How Rosie McCarthy went from poverty to a $3m business, then burned it all down
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee, supported by our lovely friends at Kiwibank. I’m…
Making CentsTariffs, inflation, and interest rates: LIVE REPLAY we answer your money questions
A replay of the live webinar version of Making Cents, answering audience questions on tariffs, how to invest when the market is down, what to do about…
Making CentsAvoid these home buying mistakes: Non-negotiables, weird open home tricks, and red flags
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making Cents"TradeMe nearly failed... then we sold for $750 million" - Rowan Simpson on how to make millions in startups
There’s investing, and then there’s "Capital I Investing", the one that comes with big risk, and if it works, big reward. Today’s guest Rowan Simpson is…
Making CentsYour small business crystal ball: Predicting success from past numbers
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: Do you need a degree for your dream job?
A highlight clip from the February 17h episode, “How to negotiate your career like a CEO”, with Rhiannon McKinnon, former CEO of Kiwi Wealth, current CEO and…
Making CentsHousing, KiwiSaver, and debt: Solving NZ’s biggest money issues with the Retirement Commissioner
Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson explains some of the biggest money mistakes she sees, and how we can all do something to fix them. Money can be…
Making CentsPeople are getting scammed - here's what you need to know
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: What's currency risk for your investments?
A highlight clip from the November 11h episode, “Your questions, answered: Why I quit, best investing strategy?”. Links Follow Frances Cook on Facebook…
Making CentsThe four levels of FU money - and how to build them
If you've ever wondered, what is FU money, and could you ever have enough to quit your job? In this episode Frances breaks down what FU money is, and the four…
Making CentsHow to invest in 2025: Predictions, risks, and strategies to sleep easy
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to turn a creative career into a real business
A highlight clip from the December 9th episode, “The secret to making money doing what you love”, with Pepper Raccoon, artist and merch designer. Links Follow…
Making Cents“Screw it, just try” – how to turn your side hustle into the main hustle
Beth Vickers, vocal coach, singer, doula, gardening influencer, shares how motherhood led to changing everything about her career. It can be really hard to…
Making CentsThe smart house seller's guide: Winning tactics for a changing property market
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to boost your money motivation
A highlight clip from the November 4th episode, “The no BS strategy for budgeting, investment, and ditching debt”, with Glen James, author of The Quick-Start…
Making Cents"You can be a good Muslim and be rich" - the world of halal investing
Muhammad Lambat, content creator and founder of @musliminvesting, shares how halal investing works, and some of the barriers for Muslim people becoming…
Making CentsTax time myths, expenses, and avoiding costly mistakes
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: Why mini retirement beats early retirement
A highlight clip from the December 23rd episode, “Why this family switched 'early retirement' for 'mini retirement' in a van”, with Kellie Dawson. Links If you…
Making CentsHow to organise your home to save money
Angela McLachlan, professional organiser and founder of Sort My House, shares how to organise your life to reduce stress and save money. When you’re trying to…
Making CentsFrom budgets to bottles, how to prep your money for parenthood
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: Why loving your job can hold you back
A highlight clip from the December 16th episode, “The hidden psychology that helps you build wealth - and why meditating hurts your money”, with Dr Brad…
Making CentsPredatory lending just got worse - the ugly truth of cosmetic surgery loans
Frances Cook breaks down the problem with plastic surgery loans now targeting you on social media, then answers your questions in a quick-fire Ask Me Anything…
Making CentsWhy is insurance getting more expensive?
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to combine family life, and financial freedom
A highlight clip from the December 23rd episode, “Why this family switched 'early retirement' for 'mini retirement' in a van”, with Kellie Dawson, financial…
Making CentsHow to negotiate your career like a CEO
Rhiannon McKinnon, former CEO of Kiwi Wealth, current CEO and founder of CEO101, talks climbing to the top of the finance industry, how analysts make investing…
Making CentsMyth or truth: Do property values really double every ten years?
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: Be careful of making "bad with money" your personality
A highlight clip from the Novemer 11th episode, “Your questions, answered: Why I quit, best investing strategy?”. Links Follow Frances Cook on Facebook…
Making CentsViral mortgage hacks debunked: Separating clickbait from real advice
Dan Bell, financial adviser and co-founder of Colab Mortgages, shares how his tips for property investment, mastering the mortgage, and understanding…
Making CentsSmall business hacks: accountant edition
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: The neurodivergent guide on how to run a small business
A highlight clip from the December 9th episode, “The secret to making money doing what you love”, with Pepper Raccoon, artist and merch designer. Links Follow…
Making CentsFrom how I invest, to getting rid of the mortgage fast: A chaotic Ask Me Anything episode
Frances Cook answers the questions that you sent in, in a solo episode covering the best investing strategies, revolving mortgages, and what's up with her…
Making CentsHow to master debt, and pay it off faster
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to take control of your money behaviour
A highlight clip from the November 4th episode, “The no BS strategy for budgeting, investment, and ditching debt”, with Glen James, author of The Quick-Start…
Making CentsFinancially free at 30: How this dad quit the corporate world
Nick Gentle, buyers agent, property coach, and a self-described “frugality geek”, shares how he managed to become financially independent by 30. Picture this…
Making CentsSaving made simple: How to stay motivated for long-term goals
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to create money goals you can stick to
A highlight clip from the December 16th episode, “The hidden psychology that helps you build wealth”, with Dr Brad Klontz. Links Follow Frances Cook on…
Making CentsHow to ‘turbocharge’ your way to financial independence
Shang Saavedra, now a work-optional financial coach, shares how she 'turbocharged' her finances in order to create time freedom. When it comes to building…
Making CentsYour cheat sheet for knowing what the property market will do next
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: The lightbulb moment of discovering Financial Independence
A highlight clip from the December 2nd episode, “I regret paying off my mortgage early”, with financial analyst Nick Carr. Links Follow Frances Cook on…
Making CentsThe bargain hunter’s playbook: Mastering savings in your town
Shell Shields, who runs the page Christchurch Deals, shares how she finds a good bargain, which community is the secret weapon, and what she'd never cut back…
Making CentsThe different mortgage types that get you debt-free, faster
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsQuick Hit: What to know before you make a career change
A highlight clip from the October 28th episode, "How financial freedom can lead to a career change", with Natasha Etschmann, also known as Tash Invests . Links…
Making CentsFrom burnout to business launch
Clarissa Hirst, professional coach and marketing consultant, shares how a panic attack and burnout led to quitting the corporate world and launching her own…
Making CentsQuick Hit: Balancing money goals, and living life
A highlight clip from the December 2nd episode, “I regret paying off my mortgage early”, with financial analyst Nick Carr. Links Follow Frances Cook on…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to create a business that works for your lifestyle
A highlight clip from the November 4th episode, "The no BS strategy for budgeting, investment, and ditching debt", with Glen James from the Money Money Money…
Making CentsQuick Hit: How to start house sitting and travel for free
A highlight clip from the September 30th episode, "How house sitting with alpacas turned into a digital nomad dream", with Sarah Kelsey from the OneUp Project…
Making CentsWhy this family switched 'early retirement' for 'mini retirement' in a van
Kellie Dawson, financial freedom seeker and mum, shares how her family were able to quit work and hit the road in Australia, for a year of nomad life in a van…
Making CentsTemperature check: what’s up with the economy?
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsThe hidden psychology that helps you build wealth - and why meditating hurts your money
Dr Brad Klontz, co-author of the new book Start Thinking Rich: 21 Harsh Truths to Take You from Broke to Financial Freedom, shares how money beliefs can hold…
Making CentsWill a house or apartment make you more money?
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsThe secret to making money doing what you love
Pepper Raccoon, artist and merch designer, shares her tactics for creating a proper living out of being an artist. There’s a common belief that when you’re…
Making CentsChristmas cash: How listeners are being money smart in the festive season
Frances Cook shares listener tips for being money smart over Christmas, for everything from presents, to food, and bringing in extra cash to fund it all. Links…
Making Cents“I regret paying off my mortgage early” - financial analyst Nick Carr
Nick Carr, financial analyst from Your Money Blueprint, shares why he regrets paying off his mortgage early, and the numbers behind why he would have invested…
Making CentsWhen is it a bad idea to put more into KiwiSaver?
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…
Making CentsBONUS: How do you talk to your kids about money?
Frances Cook talks kids and money with Chris Chang, on TVNZ's Breakfast. Last week I was on TVNZ’s Breakfast, talking to Chris Chang about some strategies to…
Making CentsHow this SAHM manages skyrocketing grocery costs for their family of four
Rachel Leutele, also known as the Savvy Saver, shares her tips for staying on a budget as a family, and changing your money to prioritise life. Becoming a stay…
Making CentsHow to make your bank account work harder for you
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the…